Rossland residents have voiced their concerns with the proposed Record Ridge Mine application, filing a 76-page memorandum, with 78 affidavits opposing the mine.
The application is currently with BC’s Ministry of Energy & Mines and Ministry of Environment, proposing a magnesium mine at Record Ridge, located above Rossland.
“We have shared concerns with the residents and businesses in Rossland, Paterson, Big Sheep Creek and surrounding communities with the proposed open pit mine project and we are calling on the BC Government to decline to issue permits for this mine,” says Elissa Ferguson, Director for the Save Record Ridge Action Committee (SRRAC).
SRRAC’s evidence includes 78 affidavits from local residents and businesses, as well as two expert reports: from Dr. Kenneth Froese, PhD, PChem, a specialist in environmental health, and Dr. Rina Freed, PhD, PEng, a specialist in impacts on water quality.
Ferguson claims both experts identified numerous omissions in WHY’s mine permit application, with Dr. Froese identifying substantial gaps in engagement with Indigenous interests and risks to Rossland’s socio-economic structure if the mine were approved.
This is supported by an additional 39 resident impact statements and a petition with over 1360 signatures.
Other concerns highlighted are people living in close proximity to the proposed location, environment, and economic disadvantages.
“The application identifies 60 properties within a kilometer of the mine footprint. Those people are very concerned about dust and their water quality,” said Ferguson.
“Many of them have drinking water wells downstream of the creek they plan to discharge into. We also have significant community concern along the highway that goes through Rossland and Trail with truck traffic up and down the mountains.”
And there are other concerns for tourism operations in the area.
“The open pit mine will be located right on the Seven Summits Trail, which is only one of four epic mountain biking trails within Canada.” said Ferguson.
“We have significant summer tourism for mountain biking and hiking, which is something that our community has worked really hard to achieve over the last couple decades.”
“This trail will have to be moved in order for the mine to operate safely and we don’t know what the change means for our perception as a tourist destination.”
What’s next? The Environmental Assessment Office’s public comment period is open until tomorrow, Friday, June 14, before the EA will decide if the project will go for an environmental assessment.
“The Save Record Ridge Action Committee shares the concerns of our residents and local businesses. We do not believe this project should go ahead based on the content of the application and the procedural fairness issues.” said Ferguson.
“But if it continues to be considered, we really truly believe that this project needs a proper assessment so we can understand whether there are effects that can’t be mitigated like to our economy, to the environment on the ridge and to community health and wellbeing.”
About the Mine
West High Yield (W.H.Y.) Resources is proposing the Record Ridge Industrial Mineral Mine Project (RRIMM), an open pit magnesium mine located 7.5 km west-southwest of Rossland, BC, covering 8,972 hectares.
The project plans to produce 400,000 tonnes of magnesium-bearing serpentinite rock over two years, at a rate of 200,000 tonnes per year. The mine infrastructure includes an open pit, waste rock storage facility, sediment pond, and haulage roads.
Vista Radio reached out to West High Yield (WHY) Resources for a response, however, President and CEO Frank Marasco Jr advised it was too early to comment.
The mine permit application is now under review with the BC Ministry of Energy & Mines and Ministry of Environment with no date specified for a decision.
Something going on in your part of the Kootenays you think people should know about? Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].
